Repentance

When God through Jesus Christ made the earth, he conversed with Jesus about the purpose of this life and why he would send his spirit children to earth. It says in Abraham 3:24-25:

"And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;

And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them."

So, God sent our first parents, Adam and Eve to earth. I think we all know how the story goes. They were immortal, perfect beings who lived in a perfect world. They were tempted by the devil to eat the fruit of the tree god specifically told them not to eat, and became mortal, and cast out of God's presence.

In their minds at that point, they believed they could never again return to God's presence of repent because they had committed a terrible transgression. But God gave them the promise that he would send a savior to mankind, who would atone for all their sins and make it possible for them to be made clean ago. 

So what is repentance? The Bible dictionary defines it as this:

"Repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined. Without this there can be no progress in the things of the soul’s salvation, for all accountable persons are stained by sin and must be cleansed in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. Repentance is not optional for salvation; it is a commandment of God."

One of God's Greatest gifts to us is the opportunity to repent. We have a promise that no matter what we do wrong, no matter how many mistakes we have made, we can always ALWAYS turn our Father in Heaven and find forgiveness. No matter how stained our souls can become, through Christ's sacrifice they can be washed spotless.

The most offensive lie that satan tell us is that we cannot be forgiven. That we are too unworthy to repent and too dirty to approach the throne of God. When I think of this terrible lie that he twists our mind with, I am reminded of the mortality of our Savior. For him to understand all we would go through, he had to be part mortal, making it possible for him to feel pain, heartache and even the temptations of the devil. Unlike us, Christ never gave into Lucifers temptations, setting the perfect example. Elder Howard W. Hunt shed some light on this very topic:

"The question for us now is—will we succeed? Will we resist? Will we wear the victor’s crown? Satan may have lost Jesus, but he does not believe he has lost us. He continues to tempt, taunt, and plead for our loyalty. We should take strength for this battle from the fact that Christ was victorious not as a God but as a man."

I remember this quote every time I fall. Sure, Jesus was the only son of God. But, he was also a man, and he did the impossible. Consequently, I know I can do what I perceive to be the impossible. 

Many people fear the process of repentance. Some sins are so serious they require help from local leaders to overcome. It can be seriously scary. If you ever find yourself overcome with this fear or repentance, I hope you take courage in a promise from this servant of the Lord:

I know this is true. I have had sins I held onto because I was scared to find help. But, when I finally let go of them, it was like taking the world off of my shoulders. 

I am so thankful for our Savior, Jesus Christ. Without him, I would never feel good about myself because I would always be drowning in my mistakes, shortcomings, and sins. I sleep well knowing that when I do begin to drown, he is already there, ready to bring me up for air. 

Defending Religious Freedom and The Grinch

Merry Christmas!! I can say that without getting glared at now, since it is past Thanksgiving. I am so excited for the Holiday Season, it is my favorite time of year and I am very excited to see my family. I love the sense of giving and love that is in the air, it is just so great. In preparation for the Christmas season, I have been watching a lot of Christmas movies, particularly, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Anyone who knows me, knows I love that movie. I have literally watched it more than 10 times in the past two weeks. I have been thinking a lot about the story and how it compares to the gospel lately, and I want to share a few thoughts with you.

The Grinch, hates Christmas, the whole season in fact, lives on the top of mount Krumpet, high above the town of Whoville. We don't know what he does the rest of the year, but our green friend spends the holly jolly season hating the Whos and their love of Christmas. In the Grinch's eyes, its an extremely superficial holiday, where people are only concerned about buying and receiving presents wrapped in paper and bows. Cindy Lou, a small who girl, makes it her goal at some point in the movie to include him in the community and help him love Christmas too, and invites him to the Holiday Whobilation. She climbs to the top of Mount Crumpet, and ultimately convinces him to go.

Unfortunately, the celebration turns for the worst when the Antagonist Mayor of Whoville gives him the insensitive gift of a razor. The town goes crazy, and The Grinch storms back to mount crumpet, more determined than ever to ruin Christmas. He then decides to build a sleigh of sorts, and steal Christmas. He steals the Presents, the tree, and the Roast Beast. He even convinces his trusty dog, Max, to pose as a reindeer.

Christmas Morning, after climbing to the top of Mount Krumpet, The Grinch sits, waiting for the cries of tiny who girls and who fellas, exclaiming that Christmas is ruined. Much to his surprise, this doesn't happen. In fact, he sees the community of Whos joined together in love and song, celebrating their love for each other and their safety during this time. We see the Grinch come to a realization: 

And his small heart, grew three sizes that day.

In the end, The Grinch joins the Whos and feels a love for Christmas he has never felt before.

How does this movie tie in with religious freedom, and defending our right to worship? 

I am pretty sure I have shared this quote by President Monson before, but I will share it again.

The Whos, I believe, are a lot like us and our love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We rejoice in it, we live it, and we do our best to share it with others. But, of course, we are not perfect. We mess up, we don't include others, and sometimes we get too defensive in our religious opinions. Cindy Lou is the perfect example in this movie of this love. Though the Grinch was notorious for hating Christmas, and even the Whos in General, she did not let this fact keep her from inviting him to partake in the joy she felt. When the Grinch stole Christmas from the Whos, and he apologized, they welcomed him with open arms into their family. So it should be with us. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has many enemies, and we face people in our day to day lives who do not believe as we do. But it is always, ALWAYS our job to reach out in love to these people, despite what they believe. Regardless of how a person may treat you for what you believe, we must react in love.

In Alma 30:7-9, we receive a better understanding on what God's rule on religious freedom is:

7 Now there was no law against a man’s belief; for it was strictly contrary to the commands of God that there should be a law which should bring men on to unequal grounds.

8 For thus saith the scripture: Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve.

9. Now if a man desired to serve God, it was his privilege; or rather, if he believed in God it was his privilege to serve him; but if he did not believe in him there was no law to punish him.

Now the Grinch hated Christmas, and lived on a mountain by his own choice, but he was never banished or put in prison or anything for his belief. He simply didn't agree with the Whos and left the community. The Whos didn't try to put him to death for having a different opinion. So why should we? God has given us all the right to worship the way we please, even if we choose to not believe in Him. This is something we must remember in light of religious conflict.

I love what Joseph Smith says about defending our rights, and the rights of others to worship how we may:

I think that speaks for itself.

Finally, President Oaks makes a wonderful statement about religious freedom:

It is beautiful how in the end of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the Grinch realizes he was wrong all along and began to feel that love for Christmas that the Whos have been feeling all along. Unfortunately, thats not always how the real world works. People will hardly ever agree with you on your religious opinions or preferences. One of the greatest lessons we can learn is to accept everyone is different. In the end, our goals are the same. It preserve our rights, and like Elder Oaks said, live in happiness, harmony, and peace. We may have to compromise some things to achieve that goal, but it is well worth it in the end.

I love this beloved Christmas movie. I hope that this interesting take on religious freedom and a loved green creatures makes sense. I love you all and Happy Holidays!

Why Missionary Work?

Today marks 2 years since I opened my mission call to serve as a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This week I have been doing a lot of reflecting on the things that I learned and the experiences I had. I am so thankful to know we have men on the earth that are inspired of God to where the young adults of our church go to serve His children. I know they were inspired when they called my to Pittsburgh, because I met people and had experiences I can't imagine my life not having.

My sister, Cambrea, recently reported to the Provo Missionary Training Center to prepare for her service in the Arizona Mesa Mission. A few days before she reported, she asked me why I chose to serve a mission. Now I have always known I would serve a mission, and tried to live my life accordingly. But when she asked me, two scriptures came to mind that impacted me greatly before and during my mission. The first one is found in Doctrine and Covenants, section 4.

This scripture answers the question future missionaries ask themselves frequently, in a very simple way. If you feel that desire to serve God, you are called to the work. It is that easy. Whenever I felt overwhelmed or like I couldn't go on anymore, this scripture would be brought to mind. I would remember that I loved God, and I wanted to serve him, and that would always trump my negative feelings or experiences.

What some members forget though, is this Scripture isn't necessarily saying if you want to serve god, you have to serve a full time mission. Elder Anderson put it best when he said:

The greatest missionary work we can do is within the walls of our own homes and with the people and friends we associate ourselves with. We do not need to go across the world to find people who need the redeeming power of Christ's Gospel. We pass people on the street, in the store, in school, that are longing to have the truth. It is our responsibility as members and as missionaries to lead people to light of the gospel. This is best done by being an example. President Oaks, who came and spoke at BYUI this past week gave a perfect example of why we must be good examples.

Those who seek to keep all the commandments of God are almost always a minority among those who don’t. That is the reality that caused Jesus to teach that the kingdom of God is like a leaven (see Matthew 13:33). A leaven—yeast—is hidden away in the larger mass until the whole is leavened, which means raised by its influence. That is our role, and to accomplish this duty, we must not only keep the commandments but also be examples of civility in our own circles of love and beyond. As followers of Christ, we should seek to live peaceably and lovingly with other children of God who do not share our values and do not have the covenant obligations we have assumed. In a democratic government we should seek “fairness for all.” That is how we follow the teaching to be in the world but not of the world. So it was that, at the conclusion of His ministry, Jesus prayed to the Father, “Not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil” (John 17:15).

The final scripture I shared with my sister that day about why I served a mission is found in Alma.

I had felt before my mission, and since after, so much joy in the gospel of Jesus Christ and by repenting. My spirit longed to share that with my brothers and sisters that I didn't yet know. I knew that if only one person heard my message in Pennsylvania, that I had fulfilled my purpose as a missionary and would've been changed for good. I didn't see a lot of success as far as numbers go on my mission, but I was successful in the way I tried my very best and received the same blessings of those who may have had dozens of missionaries. I feel the exact same way Alma feels about his call as a missionary.

I can't believe its been that long and I have been home for almost 5 months. When I opened my call, it was the best day of my life. And then I went to Pennsylvania. I miss Pennsylvania and the people there with a power I have never felt before. Not a day goes by that I don't think of my experiences and the people I left in that beautiful state. If I could go back and do it all over again, I would a million times. I left my heart and soul there and can't wait to go back soon and see the people who I can now call family. My mission was the best thing of my life, and the best thing for my life, and I wouldn't trade my time there for all of the riches in the world.

The Atonement

Hello Blog Family!

Wow, it has been so long. I have been home for quite a while now and just have never found the time to write again on my blog and I am sorry for that. From now on it'll be more frequent. I have been home from my mission for for 4 months, and every day gets easier and easier. I miss Pennsylvania and the people that I miss, but I am continuing with life the way I know God wants me to. I spent the summer working 65 plus hours a week at a fishing lodge in Alaska,  and in September started school at Brigham Young University- Idaho. It has been a really big adjustment for me, but I have loved it so far! I am taking a religion class now that requires us to right our thoughts about certain gospel topics and I thought, "wow, a perfect time to start the blog again!" And for that reason, I write today.

I have been thinking a lot recently about The Atonement of Jesus Christ and it's power to heal and empower us. When I first came home, I expected everything to run very smoothly. Surely the blessing for serving a full time mission would outpour, old habits and sins had vanished, and all that I wanted would kind of just be handed to me. I was very wrong. In fact, those only sins made their reappearance, I found my self lost in a new town, with new people, and a new purpose I had yet to discover. I quickly found myself becoming depressed and anxious. One day while I was in sacrament meeting I had the prompting to read the 14th chapter of Mosiah in The Book of Mormon. My favorite verses read:

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Since then, I read this every Sunday because it brings me peace and comfort. I saw the Saviors atonement in a different light. Christ is more than acquainted with grief and sorrow. He was let down often by his followers, until one of his own disciples turned him in for a bag of silver. But I know that in the Garden of Gethsemane, he felt the grief and sorrow of the whole world. He felt every time I have felt hopeless, every time I felt angry, and every time I felt lonely. Because he felt the grief and the sorrow of the whole world, he can comfort us and help us find the way out. 

The other day I helped clean the Rexburg Temple with some other kids my age and I was assigned the job of dusting all the pictures in the temple. It was a small task, but as I cleaned pictures of Christ and pondered on His life, I started to think about the temples significance in the Atonement.  Before we enter the temple, we do all we can to be clean and worthy to go, and then when we enter in, we make promises to use Christ's Atonement for the rest of our lives essentially. The temple reminds me of a forgiven person; clean and pure. I remembered a time when I thought I couldn't be forgiven of the things I had done wrong, that I was out of reach of The Atonement. I think Elder Grew put it best when he said:

To think you are outside of the forgiving power of Christ's Atonement is what I believe to be the biggest lie we can tell ourselves. Hope is never lost. I know that when we repent, we will always be forgiven if we show a willing heart and a true desire to become better. There is no better feeling than forgiveness.

One scripture that has always touched me is found in D+C section 6. Its very short, but very important to remember. In verse 6 it says, "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." It is very easy sometimes to forget we don't have to go through this life alone. I know that when I came home from my mission I felt like I owed it to God to just figure it out on my own, I mean he ha just spend the past 18 months trying to perfect me. But the truth is, we can't do anything without him. We can sure try, and we will often make mistakes along the way, but his arms are always stretched out, waiting to receive us again. He sent us His Son so we could receive a fresh start when we want it.

I know that Christ lives. I know that He loves us. And I know that my life would be completely different if I didn't know about him. I hope my thoughts about his greatest miracle, The Atonement, will help someone who needs them.

NORTH TO ALASKA!!! June 4, 2018

How do you sum up the greatest 1 1/2 years of your life in one email that's not a million pages long? I feel like Ammon in the Book of Mormon who expresses the joy he had in his missionary service by saying, "Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel. (Alma 26:16)". So I'll just start with what's happened my final week and get to the rest later.

 HIGHLIGHTS 

 1. On Tuesday we got to go and see Korissa who has been meeting with missionaries for a while. We started to talk to her about how she has felt about what the missionaries have taught her and she said, "It means everything to me. My whole life I've been looking for the missing puzzle pieces for what I learned in the Bible and at church. You guys have those missing pieces and it brings me so much joy." My heart...
 2. On Wednesday I went on my last exchange! I was able to be with one of my old comps, Sister Albrecht and it was wonderful, she's awesome. We had an incredible lesson with Anthony Jewell, who is a referral. He is so prepared and ready for the gospel! We had a great lesson on the restoration and he shared many experiences that show how God was preparing him for this message of truth. At the end he said, "A few weeks before you came I had been praying that God would send people to my home to teach me the truth. And then you guys came! If this is the truth, I want to be apart of it." God. Answers. Prayers.
 3. Desiree is a woman we are teaching who can't walk and has little to no use of her limbs, but man is she a spitfire! She is wonderful and she feels with her whole heart the truthfulness of the message we share. She has amazing faith. Well this week she made her nurse read The Book of Mormon to her everyday and she has just loved it. Her nurse was super curious what it was after reading it and she said, " I feel so warm and peaceful inside when I read. I don't understand because we are just reading about a family leaving Jerusalem. But it feels so good! What is that book?!" I love the Book of Mormon yinz!
 4. We got in contact with a woman named Erica who was referred by her member friend from Utah. They met each other over Facebook by some freak coincidence but it's led Erica to really want to know if this church is true and want to know more. She was just so prepared. She lives in a place that we never would have met her. But God knew where she was. And he provided a way for us to find her through a faithful member across the country. Our God is so loving and mindful of us all.
 5. One of my greatest highlights has just been reflecting on how much this area has grown since I came here. We have seen so many miracles. Sister Nilsson and I have truly conquered this area together and I feel good knowing I am leaving it MUCH better than I found it. Also, my dear, sweet trainee, Sister Nilsson. I love her so much. She is incredible. And I'm honored and humbled that I have been able to be apart of her becoming the incredible missionary that she is now. She's come so far. It definitely had nothing to do with me, but she's changed my life. I'll miss her so much! (Fun fact, ABBA is from Sweden, so this whole transfer I've been singing ABBA songs haha)
 6. This Sunday was so wonderful. All the testimonies were about the importance of change and the growth God has in store for us and it was exactly what I needed to hear. The love the members showed me filled my heart with joy and a sense of fulfillment. The Saints in Pennsylvania are some of the strongest I have ever met!

 527 days. 17 months and 12 days. 1372 pictures (give or take). 1 million laughs. 75 group emails. 100s of miracles.13 companions. 4 areas. 2 mission presidents. 2 states. 1 Sister Parry forever changed. I have truly loved my mission. It has been the best thing for my life and the best time of my life. Before my mission, I didn't really understand what true happiness was because I looked in all the wrong places. I looked to my friends, my hobbies, sports, music, technology, school, all of these things for true happiness. I was pretty selfish and pretty lost. But on my mission God has helped me to find the happiest me I could ever be. In Mosiah 2:41 it says, "And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness." I know the things that make me truly happy now. I know that obeying God, and following in Jesus Christ's footsteps is the only way we can have never-ending happiness. I find joy in serving others, in working hard, in reading my scriptures and praying everyday, and in being an example of Jesus Christ at all times, in all things, and in all places. These things are MY JOY. I wish I could shout from the rooftops and shake everyone I've ever met by their shoulders and help them understand the things I feel and know to be true. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Christ's church on the earth today. I know with every fiber of my being that The Book of Mormon is true and was translated by the gift and power of God by Joseph Smith, the prophet, who saw God and Jesus Christ when he was but 14 years old. I know that God loves us, because he gave us a Savior, Jesus Christ, who would live a perfect life and die for our sins so we could live with God again. God has given me this witness and no one can take it away from me. "No matter who we are or what we are going through, there is always a solution. It is and always will be Christ." ~ Al Fox Whoever you are, and wherever you are, I beg you to come unto Jesus Christ and build your own relationship with Him. He can help you with anything you are going through. Take a leap or faith and read the Book of Mormon, it will change your life! I love you all so much. I wish you could all feel the way that I do, and I know you can if you do all in your power to follow God and His Son, Jesus Christ. I'm going to miss writing you. But most of all, I'm going to miss Pennsylvania and the amazing people I have met. The thought of leaving and removing this little black tag off my chest makes me want to rip my aching heart out of my chest, but I know that God has wonderful things in store for me at home. And I know that I will never be the same after my time here in this wonderful state. It hasn't always been easy, I have definitely had my share of heartache and tears, but it has been more than worth it! There's no words I can use to let you know how much I appreciate you all. Thank your for all the cards and emails and prayers. They mean the world. I'll see you soon!

 Always and forever, Sister Parry
 Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Mission

 Most of these pictures are from our super fun zoo trip today.

1

I'm checking out now Jesus, ok? May 29, 2018

Hello!
I GO HOME IN TEN DAYS. OH MY GOODNESS. THAT IS SO WEIRD AND EXCITING AND NERVE WRACKING! AGH! That's just so crazy to me! I feel like I've never been anything but a missionary, I don't know what to do with myself haha. Also, I hit my final month mark this week, which is nuts too! So thankful for all the experiences Ive had here in PA! There were so many good moments this week so I'll try to pick a few.

 HIGHLIGHTS

 1. WE HAD A BAPTISM! Just kidding, we didn't, the elders did, but since the elders have been sick (all missionaries in Erie except Sister Nilsson are sick, we call it the Erie plague), we've been working with her too so it almost feels like we did haha. Anywhooo, Kathleen is awesome! The missionaries have met with her so something like seven years, and she finally decided to be baptized. Just shows you never give up on people! She is AWESOME, and is so prepared for the gospel. We went over the interview questions with her this week and she cried to us and she expressed how badly she wanted to be baptized. Kathleen is the reason why I came on a mission and why I stayed. Her and others like her, who I get to witness make changes to their lives because of the teachings of Jesus christ is worth every heartache in between. So good!
 2. Yesterday we had a picnic for memorial day with our ward and it was so good! The members are really getting a feel for the missionary work and helping. Also, we got a new investigator because one of the elders walked up to a family walking by and invited them over. So that's pretty cool!
 3. ARIELA AND GABRIELA CAME TO CHURCH! AGH it was so awesome! I've been waiting 3 1/2 months for this!! And they loved it too! All the lessons were just perfect and they had so many great questions, I just love those two sooooo much! Also, please pray that we can help them stop drinking as much. We'd appreciate that!
 4. LILLIUM. Oh my goodness. I can't remember if I shared about her last week or not. But she is a daughter of a less active we have been trying since Ive been here. This week we FINALLY got into the house. We shared the message of the restoration and she said, "I know the book of mormon is true and Joseph Smith was a prophet. It makes me feel so good inside, it has to be true!" Coolest 15 year old ever! We are going to meet with her every week now!
 5. Shahram is by far and away one the biggest highlights of my mission. He is from Iran and is Muslim by faith, but has since become a US citizen and is looking into Christianity. Last week he came to church, and yesterday we stopped by to visit him just to set an appointment. He was so excited we came to visit him. He cut up a huge watermelon and had us eat the whole thing, gave us bowls of ice cream and juice and then run upstairs to shower super quick and dressed all fancy so that we could share a message with him. It was adorable! He has so many questions and such a great desire to know who God is and what truth is. We had such a good conversation with him and he was just so thankful, even if he couldn't understand all fo what we taught. At the end he said, "I have been to many churches in my time in the US. Before I came to your church I felt like I was in a deep dark well. But when I stepped into your church, it was like God pulled me out of that well and I could see the light again." MY HEART, THE CHURCH IS TRUE YINZ. I won't make this any longer than it already is, but I love youins so much and I am thankful for your prayers as always. If you're still reading, send me a pic of what you did for memorial day and how your week was! Talk to. You next week! (THE FINAL PDAY)

Super cool us...BriggsNiagara

Gabriel's Ballon

Our New Sink

i got a lava lamp!!

Just watering my plant.

The baptism!

Sister Neilson and I eating ice cream!

I'm Not Counting, But I Only Have 18 Days Left! May 21, 2018

Hello everyone!
 Hope you've had a good week! Ours was pretty good, nothing to crazy. Can you believe you only have to read 2 more of these? Crazy!

 HIGHLIGHTS 

 1. This week we had Zone Conference and that was pretty good. We talked about the Book of Mormon and I learned sooooooo much. It's definitely the word of God! That's for sure. I'm honestly so grateful for it. It's changed my life and made me into who I am today. I swear to never miss a day of reading from this time on! It was also my last Zone Conference, so I gave a departing testimony. It was so bittersweet to talk about the experiences I have had and the things I have learned. I am seriously so blessed. My relationship with God is the most important thing to me and it's strengthened so much as I have been a missionary.
 2. So I've been fighting off a virus this week that's been pretty rough to beat, and on Sunday I really wanted to just go home and sleep because I was so tired. But I decided I could try one more person. We went and saw Daisy, and she is AWESOME! We've tried her a bajillion times and this is the first time we've caught her. She had so many questions about why we are hear so we began to teach her the plan of salvation, our road map for life! She glowed as she learned this new knowledge of what her purpose is and was practically begging us to give her a book of mormon so she could find out for herself it is true. It was so cool!
 3. We had a lesson with Desiree, who has a really bad physical disability. She is the strongest person I've ever met. We taught her about the restoration of Christ's church and she exclaimed afterwards, "I know this is true! I want this!" It was amazing!
 4. I went on exchanges with Sister Sage and that was just a blast! It's always fun to be with the other Alaska Sister! We got to teach a lot of people and find them some new investigators so that's good. I love you all and hope all is well! I can't wait to see yinz soon!

Apretty cool bridge.

My sweet, amazing companion, Sister Neilson made rainbow pancakes for breakfast!

This is how we feel about our week, so far!